James Best Q&A

Professional Jockey James Best

You have had some pretty memorable days, which one’s stand out?

I’ve been very lucky looking back on my career to have a great few days. It was special winning the Becher Chase twice on Walk In The Mill. He won in 2018 and 2019 and was the first horse to win the race consecutively. You grow up watching races over those fences and you feel privileged to get a ride in those races, let alone lucky enough to win them.

One for personal satisfaction was Pilgrim’s Bay at Kempton in 2017. He was a really quirky horse who needed dropping in and delivering on the line! The race panned out perfectly that day and we got there right on the line. 

How did it feel to win your first Grade 1 on Nickel Back?

Arguably one of my best, if not the best day of my career! I went out with a plan to let him rip over the first three or four fences and then fill his lungs up from there. I half kicked myself when I didn’t make more use of him early on at Newbury so the plan at Sandown was to simply get him going early and ride from there!

It was a day you dream of as a kid. I’m forever an optimist but always realistic as well and you don’t seriously think a day like that is going to happen to someone like myself. I’m very grateful to the owner and trainer to have that faith in me, a special day.

If you could relive one ride, solely for the buzz you had, what would it be?

Oh, definitely My Silver Lining in the Classic Chase at Warwick. We got into a lovely rhythm, jumped amazing and stayed on well. It probably left its mark on her but she’s so consistent and even this year finished fourth in a Midlands National. My wife and two children were there at Warwick, I was riding for my mother in law who owned the horse and it all just went perfectly. For once everything went right on the day!

You love the Pardubicka as a race and have had plenty of rides in the last few years, what drew you to it?

The Pardubicka is the race I’ve always loved growing up.The first opportunity I had to ride in it, I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I didn’t go because you never knew if you’ll get asked again. I just always think you never know what something might lead to and because I took that first chance, I’ve ended up having four spins in the race, amazingly.

Would you ever like to make the running?

Now I’ve been round a few times, I would! The first time you go round, it is quite daunting because it is pretty easy to go the wrong way. It’s not as obvious as they make the Cross Country at Cheltenham where they cone it off, you really do have to know your way around! 

Is there a race in Europe that you haven’t yet run in that you really want to?

I’ve not actually raced in Merano and I’d love to ride in their feature race. I regret when Tom Garner asked me to ride the spare in the Pardubicka, it only came about because there was another spare going in Merano and I couldn’t miss Newton Abbot the day after. That’s definitely a regret but I did say to Tom (Garner) if anything comes up, I would love to go. 

How important is it to take every opportunity as a professional jockey?

Oh 100%. Sometimes there are a few who will not ride a horse because it’s a light weight or it hasn’t shown too much and I just always say you never know! That one ride might lead to a connection with someone and who knows, if that horse runs well, they might have another horse that you can ride and that has always been the frame of mind I’ve had.

James over the Grand National fences

Quickfire Questions:

What’s the one horse, past or present, you would love to have a spin on and why?

Sprinter Sacre, he was just an absolute pleasure to watch. 

If you were stuck on a desert island with one other jockey in the weighing room, who would it be and why?

Sean Houlihan, he’s a good friend of mine.

What’s the best horse you have ever sat on?

Probably Captain Chris when I was at Phillip Hobbs’ riding out in the mornings.

Who’s the one trainer you would love to ride a Grade One winner for?

He was so influential in my career that I’ve got to say Phillip Hobbs. I don’t ride for him much more but he got my career going.

What’s the one race you would love to win?

Pardubicka. 

Hidden Talent?

Hmm… I’m good at making banana bread. 

What’s next for James Best?

Keep giving 100% in everything I do and enjoy it along the way.